Posts Tagged ‘antioxidants’

Weekly Links: Mushroom News from Around the Web

Magical Mushrooms for Skin Beauty We all know by now that mushrooms are good for you, but it seems like new benefits are being discovered every day! From immune system health to skin care, the fabulous fungi can protect against viruses, tumors, and acne alike, as they’re loaded with antioxidants and vitamin D. Yahoo Health! dishes on the latest study from Tufts University and the implications it has for mushrooms as flu fighters, wrinkle warriors and even acne avengers.

Meatless mains – US food trends Mushrooms’ meaty texture and umami goodness make them alluring as heroes of the dish to vegetarians and nonvegetarians alike. Restaurants & Institutions’ latest poll, the 2010 New American Diner Study, found that 1 in 4 of us is eating more meatless meals than we did a year ago. So, it came as no surprise to see mushrooms featured numerous times in the suggested meatless meals that accompanied this new data.

Do-It-Yourself Mushrooms New York Times comments on the increase in small-scale mushroom growing, or better put, mushroom DIYers. A new demand from cooking shows and food magazines for fungi has spurred mushrooming growth across the board for the past decade, from large-scale growers to small-time farmers market suppliers and now right into the consumer’s very own home. We’re not surprised, though! Who can resist the deliciously healthy fungi that can make such a wide variety of delectable dishes?

Add a touch of diversity to dishes Looking to jazz up your diet? Daily World discusses the versatility of mushrooms, providing insight into the many ways they can be used in a variety of dishes. The names of some of these ’shrooms might sound crazy, but we all know these “fun guys” are really down to earth.

Mushroom king commands respect The Chicago Tribune quotes our pres, Bart Minor, on the king of mushrooms who’s recently come to rule the hearts of chefs around the world: the king oyster mushroom. And this isn’t just any fish in the sea; its meaty stem and increasing availability make it a favorite in the fungi kingdom. Whether they’re cooked tempura style (Minor’s personal pref) or scalloped and sautéed, the king oyster will satisfy your every craving!

Peppers Too Pricey? Stuff and Grill Mushrooms Mushrooms might be full of flavor and nutrients, but they sure don’t come at a hefty price to match! The Associated Press reports on the always satisfying mushroom and its affordability compared to their other produce aisle counterparts, providing a mouthwatering grilled sausage-stuffed portabella recipe that you have to check out.

The Vitamin D Solution Dr. Michael Holick’s new book, The Vitamin D Solution, just hit the shelves posing this hormone (did you know vitamin D isn’t really a true vitamin after all?) as the potential cure-all for a host of illnesses. Holick recommends getting your D from foods like mushrooms, the only item in the produce section to contain this crucial nutrient, and supplements.

Weekly Links: Mushroom News from Around the Web

Immune-boosting foods you’ll love Mushrooms are great for maintaining a healthy immune system. They are rich in beta-glucans, selenium, ergothioneine and vitamin D – a winning combination of nutrients to ward off cold and flu season! WFMJ-TV recommends eating about one cup of mushrooms every day – we agree!

The 02 Diet: Superfoods Rule Keri Glassman, MS, RD, author of the hot new book, The O2 Diet, talks with LX New York about ways to improve your diet, to make you feel energetic, thin and beautiful. Glassman recommends improving diet through inclusion rather than exclusion. Pack your meals full of foods rich in antioxidants, like mushrooms – the leading source of selenium in the produce aisle!

Appetite for Health Julie Upton, MS, RD, CSSD discusses ways to get more vitamin D through diet. Mushrooms are one of the only natural sources of vitamin D (the only fruit or veggie with it!) and like our skin, they can produce vitamin D when they’re exposed to light. The most popular types of mushrooms – buttons, criminis and portabellas – have 1-97% of the vitamin D you need. Put them atop pizzas, in sauces, sautéed as a side dish – mushrooms are so versatile they compliment almost any everyday favorite meal.

Weekly Links: Mushroom News from Around the Web

The fascinating world of mushrooms The Huffington Post flaunts mushrooms for their immunity-boosting power and other nutritional benefits, including their potassium and fiber content. Mushrooms are so versatile; you can serve them as the “meat” of the dish, or as the complement on the side. We couldn’t word it better: “From portobello to shiitake to crimini, the possibilities are endless!”

Mushroom Love The News-Herald lets readers know that mushrooms are the key ingredient for livening up winter meals. Rich in antioxidants and vitamin D (perfect for cold and flu season), mushrooms can easily be added to many types of dishes. Give the Mushroom Strudel recipe a whirl, too!

Boost your immune system with healthy meals Mushrooms increase the production of white blood cells, our immunity bodyguards, making them the perfect low calorie choice for illness-ridden winter months. Jae Berman, MS, RD, also recommends eating chicken noodle soup, as the chicken releases an immunity-boosting amino acid as it cooks. Other protein sources are great for immunity as well – try fish and shellfish for the omega 3 fatty acids, or beef for its zinc content.

Weekly Links: Mushroom News from Around the Web

Surprise: Mushrooms full of nutrients Don’t be fooled by mushrooms and their lack of color – just because mushrooms are white does not mean they are not nutritional powerhouses. The Detroit Free Press alerts readers of this common misperception, and notes that mushrooms are in fact dense in nutrients. Not only do they supply B vitamins like riboflavin, niacin and pantothenic acid for energy, but they also are rich in folic acid, iron, potassium and antioxidants like selenium. Get these nutrients by giving their recipe for Mushroom Almond Paté a try at your New Year’s Eve party!

Wild Mushroom Mix Enjoy this vegan and gluten-free mushroom mixture atop pizzas, as a dip with crostinis for an appetizer, or even use it as the base for a hearty mushroom soup! The versatility is endless!

Top 10 health tips for 2010 Our friends from Canada over at The Daily Observer share the most important health tips for 2010. Aside from vitamin D topping the list (be sure to eat your mushrooms!), washing your hands to prevent catching airborne illnesses and measuring your waistline rather than hopping on a scale is recommended. Belly fat is particularly dangerous, possibly leading to a higher risk for heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. Measuring tapes are less expensive than scales anyway…

Drug from mushroom may help treat cancer Unrelated to our research at City of Hope on white button mushrooms and breast cancer, researchers at the University of Nottingham have discovered that a wild mushroom native to China, cordyceps, may be effective in treating cancer as well. “The researchers say low-dose cordycepin (the medication that includes cordyceps) seems to inhibit the uncontrolled growth and division of cells and at high doses it also inhibits growth by stopping cells from sticking together.” Aren’t mushrooms amazing?

Weekly Links: Mushroom News from Around the Web

Health Tip of the week: Going Meatless with Mushrooms Winter is a time of year when we all crave comfort foods, and often times those are the foods full of extra calories. The Plain Dealer suggests skipping the extra fat by replacing meat with mushrooms! A study found that the meals made over with mushrooms not only reduced the participants’ caloric intake, but they felt just as satiated at the end of the meal.

How To Boost Your Immune System Against H1N1 Swine Flu Gather.com recommends an all-natural approach to staving off swine flu by strengthening your immune system – which starts with a healthy diet and drinking plenty of fluids. Stock up on fresh fruits and veggies, lean protein and whole grains. Also look for foods containing powerful antioxidants, like mushrooms!

A healthy makeover of a takeout staple Crave Chinese food but trying to watch your diet? Try this healthy twist on a Chinese takeout classic, chicken and shiitake mushroom lo mein. This recipe will satisfy your cravings, but with only four teaspoons of oil and a lot less sodium.

From the Dietician: Nutrients in food can boost immunity The Des Moines Register says vaccines aren’t the answer to cold and flu season – it’s all about what’s on your plate! Power-pack your diet with probiotics, zinc, antioxidants and vitamin D. Mushrooms are a source of vitamin D, as highlighted in the article, but don’t forget they have zinc and antioxidants too!

Bright Ideas for Treating the Winter Blues Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) affects six percent of Americans throughout the winter months. To kick those winter blues The Wall Street Journal offers some tips.  Light therapy, avoiding too many carbs in your diet, exercising outdoors and getting enough vitamin D (found in mushrooms!) could help to keep you in bright spirits in darker months.